Dell asks workers to take unpaid time off

Dell has begun asking employees to voluntarily take up to five days off without pay as part of an effort to cut costs this quarter. The unusual request was made via a memo from CEO Michael Dell, in which he highlighted a 10 percent workforce cut announced in 2007, and suggested a new round of layoffs could begin if these measures dont achieve the desired results.

The company also instituted a global hiring freeze, is offering an enhanced severance package for employees who voluntarily leave the company, cutting travel budgets, and reducing the number temporary and contract employees. Dell did not provide a monetary figure for the savings it expects from these moves, though its being reported that these latest efforts are intended to result in additional savings beyond the $3 billion in annual expenses the company previously pledged to cut over the next three years.